106th Support Battalion Sets Up Operational Area

Photo By Cpl. Justin Humphreys | Sgt. Joshua Niolet, a fire control repairer with Company B, 106th Support Battalion, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Mississippi National Guard, and a fellow Soldier set up a tent while the battalion sets up its operations area May 27, 2017 at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California. (Mississippi National Guard photo by Spc. Justin Humphreys, 102d Public Affairs Detachment)  

FORT IRWIN, CA, UNITED STATES

05.27.2017

Story by Spc. Justin Humphreys 

102d Public Affairs Detachment

FORT IRWIN, Calif. – The past two days have been long and challenging for Soldiers of the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team as they travel through “the box,” a replica of the tough operational environment that America’s war fighters face in combat, at the National Training Center.

On the morning of May 26, 2017, Soldiers with the 155th convoyed from their temporary assembly areas to begin simulated combat operations throughout the box as their field training begins for their NTC rotation.

“The training gives the whole brigade an opportunity to come together and work together,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael White, an operations noncommissioned officer in Headquarters Company, 106th Support Battalion, 155th ABCT.

Companies A, B, C, and Headquarters Company of the 106th set up their operations centers near each other as a brigade support area. Each of the four companies has its own niche in supporting the 155th but work as one unit to accomplish their mission.

Company A provides distribution and logistical support, Company B provides maintenance support, and Company C provides medical support, said White.

Headquarters Company takes care of all administrative and tactical needs of the battalion’s headquarters.

Pfc. Dakota Caron, a combat medic for Company C, was particularly excited to spring into field training.

“The first part of being at the National Training Center was boring because all we were doing was unloading and loading our gear,” Caron said. “Being out here is the fun part of training because this is where everybody does their actual jobs and we all work together.”

As a combat medic, Caron will help Soldiers during mock mass casualty incidents in the field during the NTC rotation.

“In the field we get hit with mass casualties every few hours and all of us have to work together to get them treated,” Caron said.

The medic team for Company C responds to casualties quickly and accurately so Soldiers can get back to their operation areas and maintain combat readiness.

The 155th is the largest unit in the Mississippi National Guard with over 3,800 Soldiers and the 106th is a vital part of the 155th because without logistics and support, the brigade can’t continue forward with missions.

The National Training Center, which is over 1,200 square miles, is the only place in the United States that can accommodate brigade on brigade operations.

“Our training is going to be challenging, but whatever challenges you makes you better, so we’re going to learn from it,” said White.

• Date Taken: 05.27.2017
• Date Posted: 05.28.2017 09:11
• Story ID: 235565
• Location: FORT IRWIN, CA, US
• Hometown: MONTICELLO, MS, US